Rack Cooling

[Freyr]

So, I've heard from different people that it's best to leave spaces between your rack gear to allow for ventilation. But, I just can stand the look of it, haha. But, I've dealt with computer servers abit before, and I remembered that they have backmounted fans to keep air circulation going.

I did a quick search on musicians friend, and seen that they do make backmount fan products... for over $100! So, I decided to make my own, I have some connections with a metal fabrication company, and I should be able to make them no problem. (For 1/10 of the price).

Does anyone here use any kind of cooling / fan system in their rack? All the stuff I seen online was rather unimpressive, but I suppose it works. My thoughts where to have an intake at the top of the rack, and an outtake at the bottom. As long as the outtake won't mess with any tubes or anything. I'd also throw in a speed control, but I'm not 100% sure if that's needed or not. (I'd probably throw in some cool blinking LED's just for aesthetics, even though it's in the back, haha)

I dunno, I'll keep you all updated with how it goes... the biggest problem right now is having a way to turn the ADA MP-1 on... the switch is in the back >_<

*shrugs* Any other ideas?

[markD]

just get a bigger rack and buy 1 space rack dividers? i don't have a fan or spaces in my rack, but then and again it is only effects, tuner, power conditioner, and hush unit...

[Freyr]

Well, there is all kinds of room in the back, may-as-well use it!

Actually, I was thinking of having them build me a studio rack. Build the power conditioner and cooling right into it. (Need to see if my tech buddy can build a good power conditioner). The metal chassis should in theory just stop some of the electronic waves from going to the guitar pickups, HOPEFULLY helping with noise problems. Never know until you try it I guess.

[Rupe]

My rack is completely full except for 1/2 rack space that I leave between my power amp (Mesa 2:90 which has its own fan) and my last effect (Hush unit) for airflow, although this is probably not necessary. There is really no need to ad a built in fan. If you are having heat issues, just aim a regular fan at the back of your rig and be done with it.

[rjohnstone]

Cold air intake should come in from the bottom since hot air rises.
And in reality, you want to force the air from front to back or back to front, not from the bottom or the top. Most rack amps or effects units don't allow air to pass through them from the top or bottom anyway.

Anyway... When I used rack gear, I just attached one of those clip on fans to the back side.
$10 at Walgreens... Did the job just fine.

And I used a good line conditioner... no fan noise in the mix.

[Freyr]

Yeah, this should only cost me about $10. Good point about having the intake at the bottom, but I'm not exactly sure if blowing cold air onto poweramp tubes is a good idea :/

[rjohnstone]

Yeah, this should only cost me about $10. Good point about having the intake at the bottom, but I'm not exactly sure if blowing cold air onto poweramp tubes is a good idea :/

It's not like your blowing freezing air onto hot tubes...
It's room temp. air.
If you're really worried about it though, start the fan when you power everything on. Then you won't have to worry about dramatic temp changes.

[Rupe]

Yeah, this should only cost me about $10. Good point about having the intake at the bottom, but I'm not exactly sure if blowing cold air onto poweramp tubes is a good idea :/

No worries about a fan blowing air on your tubes...you really aren't going to cool those guys down, you are more or less getting rid of the radiant heat that they give off. Plus, the air is room temp, not really cold.

[sl2lover]

I found one here at work that seems to work fine for me! I put it right inbetween my DBX compressor, and my Rane eq.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m184/sl2lover/rig07closeup.jpg

[roodyrocker]

For my bigger rack I was in the process of making my own as well. Got a couple small fans from Radio Shack then mounted them on a 3 or 4 space rack panel (can't remember the exact space size). Put a bunch of holes in the panel corresponding to the fan location. Still have to finish wiring them up but the idea is to run them to the power conditioner so they turn on when the rack is powered up.

Rudy

https://www.wickedrocks.com

[dmtnt]

The only space I left open in my rack is above the MP-1. Those are notorious for getting hot.

[sparky]

Groove Tubes makes a rack mount fan. I got one when I bought a used Groove Tubes Solo-Slave 75 power amp.